Blues and Secondary Dominant II-V Substitutions

The chords in a blues progression can be replaced with secondary dominants. Secondary dominants can then be replaced with II-V substitutions. For example, in a C blues the tonic chord Cmaj can be replaced with the dominant chord C . C is the V chord or dominant chord in the !ey o" F, designated V#IV. The C chord can then be replaced with II-V diatonic substitutions in the !ey o" F.

Blues Progression Phrase One Secondary Dominant II-V Substitutions in F Major

$ll o" the chords are diatonic in the !ey o" F and can be used as substitutios "or the tonic chord Cmaj in a C blues progression.

Blues Progression Phrase Two

In the second "our measures the subdominant chord Fmaj is replaced with F , the dominant chord in the the !ey o" %b major. The F chord can then be replaced with $min b&, Cmin or 'bmaj "rom the !ey o" %b major.

Secondary Dominant II-V Substitutions in Bb Major

Blues Progression Phrase Three

The third "our measure phrase uses two measures o" the dominant chord ( that can be replaced with its diatonic II-V substitutions %min b&, )min or Fmaj "rom the original !ey C major. *owe+er any dominant chord in a major !ey can be replaced with secondary dominant II-V substitutions borrowed "rom its ,arallel -inor !ey. For example the dominant chord in C major ( , can be replaced with %dim , )min b&, Fmin or $bmaj "rom the !ey o" C harmonic minor. This principal applies to the secondary dominants abo+e.

Secondary Dominant II-V Substitutions in C Major

Secondary Dominant II-V Substitutions in C Minor

.emember, the goal is memori/ation. 0ot only will your "ingers memori/e the positions o" the Secondary )ominant II-V Substitutions "or %lues

,rogressions, your ears will also memori/e the sounds on the guitar called 'ar Training, so ma!e sure your guitar is in tune. 1ou can tune your guitar by ear to the midi player by clic!ing the tune logo or tune by eye using an electronic guitar tuner. It is recommended that you learn both methods.